Anton Herashchenko, an adviser to Ukraine's interior minister, was quoted by the Associated Press as saying the plane had been hit by a missile at an altitude of 10,000m (33,000ft), as BBC News writes.

A Malaysia Airlines official has confirmed the news and CNN confirms the black box from the aircraft has been found.

The Boeing 777 reportedly had 280 passengers and 15 crew members on board.

The plane appeared to have broken up before impact, "with the wreck scattered over a wide area in the village of Grabovo, AP reports," as BBC News notes.

The above video reportedly shows the moment of impact when the plane crashed.

The route taken by the Malaysian flight is a very common one between Kuala Lumpur and the Netherlands, according to CNN aviation safety consultant Mary Schiavo. "She noted that the plane was flying over a troubled area and said close communication with air traffic controllers would be a key necessity."

US carrier Delta Air Lines has said it was no longer sending flights through Ukrainian airspace.